Archives | Dunfermline 0 Airdrieonians 2

After a good run of results the Pars served up what their manager termed their worst performance of the season. They went to down 2-0 to Airdrieonians who yet again proved to be a bit of a bogey team for the Fifers.

Dunfermline took on an in-form Airdrieonians team on the back of three back to back wins for Neil Lennon`s men. Chris Hamilton returned to the starting eleven but Jeremiah Chilokoa-Mullen retained the armband to lead the Pars out for their first home league game of 2026. Tashan Oakley-Boothe was the player missing in an otherwise unchanged starting eleven.

Airdrieonians made two changes to their starting eleven, Charlie McArthur and Aidan Wilson replacing Craig Ross and Sean McGinty who found themselves on the bench beside former Pars Robbie Mahon and the newly signed Dom Thomas.

The visitors kicked off attacking the goal at the home end, forcing a corner within 90 seconds and showing intent to take the game to their hosts. A sixth minute free kick 28 yards out handed the Pars their first opportunity but Andrew Tod drove his shot into the Diamonds defensive wall.

Dunfermline began to make their passes count and forced Airdrieonians deeper but it was a Deniz Mehmet pass that picked out Matty Todd on the right that created the first real chance of the afternoon. Todd`s pass into the path of Callumn Morrison brought a shot that was blocked. The visitors were then awarded a rather soft free kick for Charlie Gilmour`s touch on Chris Mochrie and from that they would take the lead. The bounce of the ball from Euan HENDERSON`s setplay from 25 yards out appeared to deceived Mehmet and it was 0-1.

Dunfermline`s attacking move was hampered as Airdrie blocked two players off the ball. Play was paused as referee Peter Stuart showed yellow cards to two Charlie`s `“ Telfer and Gilmour `“ for the incident in which the Pars player was the victim. In between the Fifers had to consider themselves very fortunate when a Mochrie break and cross was sent wide at the far post by Henderson.

A 33rd minute Pars corner from the right saw Todd pick out Morrison in the D, his shot was blocked and in the aftermath Abdulai and Chilokoa-Mullen got in headers that led to Morrison getting another crack at goal but he sent his shot wide left.

Five minutes on a Tod cross evaded Rudden in front of goal but Todd returned the ball only for his effort to be cleared off the line. Hamilton smashed a chance from 25 yards out narrowly over the Airdrie crossbar.

The visitors saw the half out to go in with the one goal advantage. Really Dunfermline had just lacked that bite in front of goal.

Half time: Dunfermline 0 Airdrieonians 1

It was Hamilton who was presented with the first chance of the second half after Tod`s ball on from the left was played back by Todd for the Pars midfielder to shoot but unluckily it was another case of effort blocked.

When Airdrie broke out of defence in 54th minute, Mochrie was played through on goal. Hamilton ended the former Pars player`s progress and despite the foul being committed some 40 yards out the referee fetched his red card out of his back pocket.

Although a player down Dunfermline continued to search for an equaliser. On the hour Morrison picked out Fraser on the left but his centre for Rudden was met by keeper Harry Stone. Next fed by Morrison, Todd pumped the ball through the Diamonds box but it landed on Fraser`s wrong foot.

The team with only ten men certainly looked the more likely but in 65th minute three Dunfermline substitutes. Shea Kearney, Graham Carey and Olly Thomas replaced Matty Todd, Zak Rudden and Andrew Tod. The visitors followed suit eight minutes later, Dom Thomas, Robbie Mahon and Lewis McGrattan coming on for Chris Mochrie, Charlie Telfer and Jamie Barjonas.

Carey showed his threat with a free kick delivered into the danger zone in front of goal but only a corner ensued. Neil Lennon then with 13 minutes remaining, introduced Chris Kane and Alfons Amade and withdrew Jeremiah Chilokoa-Mullen and Robbie Fraser. Defending was left to Abdulai and Ngwenya yet it was the latter who next tested Stone but his attempt went straight to the on-loan keeper.

Committed to attack, the Pars were always going to be vulnerable on the counter and in 81 minutes sub McGRATTAN swept the ball past Mehmet from the edge of the penalty box. 0-2

The outcome was sealed and despite several attempts to go forward the home side were thwarted every time. A disappointing defeat to end the three match winning run.

DUNFERMLINE: Deniz Mehmet: Jeremiah Chilokoa-Mullen (c)(Chris Kane 77), Nurudeen Abdulai, Kieran Ngwenya; Matty Todd (Shea Kearney 65), Chris Hamilton, Charlie Gilmour, Robbie Fraser (Alfons Amade 77): Andrew Tod (Olly Thomas 65), Callumn Morrison, Zak Rudden (Graham Carey 65)
SUBS NOT USED: Kyle Benedictus, Rory Macleod, Josh Cooper, Billy Terrell (GK)
YELLOW CARD: Gilmour (29)
RED CARD: Hamilton (54)

AIRDRIEONIANS: Harry Stone: Dylan MacDonald, Aidan Wilson (c) (Craig Ross 41), Lewis Strapp, Dean McMaster, Euan Henderson, Charlie McArthur, Jamie Barjonas, Charlie Telfer, Cole McKinnon (Gavin Gallagher 88), Chris Mochrie
SUBS NOT USED: Robbie Mahon, Sean McGinty, Dom Thomas, Adam Devine, Scott Constable, Lewis McGrattan, Cade Melrose (GK)
SCORERS: Henderson (14), McGrattan (81)
YELLOW CARDS: Telfer (28), Strapp (74)

REFEREE: Peter Stuart
ATTENDANCE: 5314
WEATHER: Overcast 7°C

50/50 WINNING TICKET: `“ No. 62174 won prize of £959

NEXT MATCH: (Scottish Gas Scottish Cup) v Kelty Hearts, Saturday 7th February 2026, kick off 3.00pm at KDM Group East End Park

Related Stories

• Airdrieonians 0 Dunfermline 4
• Dunfermline 0 Airdrieonians 0
• Airdrieonians 3 Dunfermline 0
• Dunfermline 1 Airdrieonians 0